USA 224

NSSDC/COSPAR ID: 2011-002A

Description

USA 224 was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base on 20 January 2011 at 21:10 UT by a Delta IV rocket. USA 224 is a National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) classified satellite. It flew in the "heavy" configuration, the highest capacity Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) variant and the most powerful unmanned rocket currently in service. This was the first Delta IV Heavy launched from Vandenberg and, to date, the heaviest vehicle to lift off from Vandenberg.